Lady Liberty has long been a symbol of freedom, strength, and peace in the United States. Since the Coinage Act of 1792, her image has been featured on U.S. coins, representing the ideals the country stands for. But Lady Liberty’s appearance has changed over the years, reflecting different artistic styles, historical moments, and cultural values. … Read more
The half dime, an early American coin, played an important role in the country’s monetary history. Did you know that 5-cent pieces were once called half dimes, not nickels? Introduced during George Washington’s presidency, the half dime was first produced as part of an experiment to replace the British pounds-and-shillings system. In 1792, the Coinage … Read more
The California Gold Rush was a significant event that transformed both the United States and the lives of those who participated. People from all over the world rushed to California, dreaming of finding gold and getting rich. However, the sudden arrival of such a diverse population led to problems in trading, as there were not … Read more
Every year, just like the Oscars and Golden Globes, the coin world eagerly awaits the Coin of the Year (COTY) awards. As a Grand Rapids coin dealer, Mullen Coins keeps a close watch on this exciting event. Krause Publications’ annual COTY awards highlight the best coin designs from around the world. For 2011 coins, the … Read more
Creating a type collection is an exciting way for new coin collectors to start their journey. A type collection is when you collect one example of each design within a specific group of coins. This makes it both fun and affordable, allowing collectors to focus on history, art, or specific themes. Let’s explore how to … Read more
Coin errors happen during the minting process, and they can actually make a coin more valuable to collectors. These mistakes, known as minting errors, are rare, especially with modern technology. But when they do occur, they offer a unique appeal to collectors. In this article, we’ll explore how these errors happen and the different types … Read more
Rare coins are a big deal for collectors, and some of them fetch prices that might surprise you. In January 2013, a U.S. coin made history by selling for over $10 million at an auction. This sale broke records for the most expensive coin ever sold. The coin, known as the Cardinal Collection dollar, is … Read more
Early American coins like the Pinetree Shilling have a fascinating history. Before the United States had its own currency, colonists used various forms of money, including coins from other countries and even shell beads. One of the most famous early American coins was the Pinetree Shilling, minted by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Colonial Money Systems … Read more
Introduction: The 1943-D Lincoln Wheat Cent penny is a rare coin that collectors highly value. This particular penny stands out because, while most 1943 pennies were made from steel due to wartime metal shortages, a few were accidentally minted in bronze or copper. The scarcity of these bronze/copper pennies makes them some of the most … Read more
Introduction: The 1944-S Lincoln Wheat Cent is a rare and intriguing coin that draws the attention of coin collectors. Unlike most 1944 pennies, which were made from copper, a few 1944 pennies from the San Francisco Mint (marked with an “S”) were accidentally made from steel. This mix-up makes the 1944-S Steel Cent one of … Read more